Portable device for facilitating medical examination

Abstract

A medical examination device is provided with a pair of foot support assemblies, a patient support mat, and a U-shaped support frame with an attached pair of legs. Wheel assemblies are attached to the legs and facilitate the transportation of the device to and from a bed whereby the support assemblies, patient support mat, and legs are extended and adjusted to support a patient on the bed to facilitate a medical examination. The foot support assemblies are foldable, and the patient support mat and legs are collapsible so that the device is transported and stored in a small, compact size.

I claim: 
     
       1. A device for facilitating a medical examination, comprising:
 a U-shaped frame structure having a first transverse member with a first end and a second end opposite said first end, a first side member extending outwardly from said first end, a second side member extending outwardly from said second end, a second transverse member with a third end and a fourth end opposite said third end, a third side member extending outwardly from said third end, a fourth side member extending outwardly from said fourth end, a first vertical member extending between said first end of said first transverse member and said third end of said second transverse member, a second vertical member extending between said first side member and said third side member, a third vertical member extending between said second end of said first transverse member and said fourth end of said second transverse member, and a fourth vertical member extending between said second side member and said fourth side member; 
 first and second legs attached to said U-shaped frame structure, each of said first and second legs having a first end and a second end opposite thereof, said first end of said first leg being telescopically attached to said first vertical member, and said first end of said second leg being telescopically attached to said third vertical member such that each of said first and second legs is adjustably movable; 
 a support mat pivotally attached to said first transverse member of said U-shaped frame structure, said support mat being pivotable between an extended position, in which said support mat extends in a substantially horizontal direction, and a folded position, in which said support mat extends substantially parallel to said first and second vertical members, said support mat being sized and shaped so as to support a patient thereon while said support mat is in its extended position during the performance of a medical examination; 
 a first foot support assembly pivotally attached to said second vertical member, and a second foot support assembly pivotally attached to said fourth vertical member. 
 
     
     
       2. The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second foot support assemblies is pivotable between a folded-in position, in which each of said first and second foot support assemblies is substantially parallel with and proximate said first and second transverse members, and an unfolded position, in which each of said first and second foot support assemblies extends away from said first and second transverse members. 
     
     
       3. The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first foot support assembly includes a first upper member pivotally attached to said second vertical member of said U-shaped frame, a first lower member pivotally attached to said second vertical member of said U-shaped frame, a fifth vertical member attached to said first upper member and said first lower member distal said second vertical member, a first leg support overlying said first upper member, and a third leg having a first end and a second end opposite thereof, said first end of said third leg being telescopically attached to said fifth vertical member such that said third leg is adjustably movable; and wherein said second foot support includes a second upper member pivotally attached to said fourth vertical member of said U-shaped frame, a second lower member pivotally attached to said fourth vertical member of said U-shaped frame, a sixth vertical member attached to said second upper member and said second lower member distal said fourth vertical member, a second leg support overlying said first upper member, and a fourth leg having a first end and a second end opposite thereof, said first end of said fourth leg being telescopically attached to said sixth vertical member such that said third leg is adjustably movable. 
     
     
       4. The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said first foot support assembly includes a first extendable member telescopically attached to said first upper member such that said first extendable member is adjustably movable, and a first foot support pivotally attached to said first extendable member; and wherein said second foot support assembly includes a second extendable member telescopically attached to said second upper member such that said second extendable member is adjustably movable, and a second foot support pivotally attached to said second extendable member. 
     
     
       5. The device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said first foot support includes a first stirrup, and wherein said second foot support includes a second stirrup. 
     
     
       6. The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the positions of said first and second legs are adjustable relative to said first and second vertical members of said U-shaped frame so as to position the height of said first transverse member relative to the floor surface, said first transverse member being adapted to abut an end of a bed and said support mat being adapted to be positioned on a top surface of the bed. 
     
     
       7. The device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said support mat includes a first panel, which is pivotally attached to said first transverse member, and a second panel which is pivotally attached to said first panel. 
     
     
       8. The device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the positions of said third and fourth legs are adjustable relative to said fifth and sixth vertical members of said first and second foot support assemblies so as to position the height of said first and second leg supports relative to the floor surface. 
     
     
       9. The device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a first wheel assembly attached to said second end of said first leg, and a second wheel assembly attached to said second end of said second leg, wherein said first and second wheel assemblies facilitate the support and transportation of the device on a floor surface. 
     
     
       10. The device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said first wheel assembly includes a first bracket and a first wheel pivotally supported by said first bracket, and said second wheel assembly includes a second bracket and a second wheel pivotally supported by said second bracket.